MOSCOW. Dec 20 (Interfax) - The idea that Russia wants to rule the world is being spread in the West to resolve internal bloc and internal political issues, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Do you believe that our goal is to rule the world? This is a stereotype that's being imposed on public opinion in Western countries to settle internal bloc issues and internal political ones," Putin said at his annual press conference.
"This means that for uniting various countries around you, say, NATO, an external threat is definitely needed. Otherwise, this consolidation cannot be ensured, it's necessary to unite against someone," he said.
"So, it's good [to unite] against Russia, the largest nuclear power," Putin said.
"Internal political [issues]: Russophobia is also flourishing in many countries, even today, unfortunately, especially in Eastern Europe. Why? In order to ensure their domestic political well-being based on previous historical fears," Putin said.
"This is also harmful, because it's ultimately the exploitation of phobias of the past, which keeps us from moving forward. This harms the countries and peoples whose leaders are trying to pursue this policy," he said.
"In fact, the primary goal of our foreign policy is to provide favorable conditions for the development of the Russian Federation, its economy, and the social sphere, and ensure unconditional movement forward and build up our country from the inside, above all so that it will take a worthy place on the international scene as an equal partner among equals," Putin said.